Impact Protection System

ABSTRACT

An impact protection system comprising a helmet system and a shoulder pad system that absorbs, repels, and diverts collision forces.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to impact protection systems with enhancedand safer alternatives to the current market's impact systems. Thisinvention also relates to a unitary impact protection system combiningboth helmet and shoulder pad systems. The invention incorporatesinnovative safety insulating exterior barrier elements designed tominimize and reduce the occurrence of injuries to the head, includingconcussions, neck, and shoulders caused by collision forces.

BACKGROUND

Players of impact sports can be subject to a variety of head and neckinjuries. Padded impact systems primarily rely on their padding toabsorb collision forces. Protective padding is unable to transfer thecollision forces past the padding themselves. This may leave a player'shead, neck, and shoulders vulnerable to absorbing a significant portionof the collision forces such that significant, devastating, and in somecases, fatal injuries result.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present description discloses a helmet system and a shoulder padsystem which both provide impact protection. Also disclosed is thecombination of the helmet and shoulder pad system to form a unitaryimpact protection system. The systems exhibit improved safety featuresincluding enhanced safety insulating exterior barrier elements toabsorb, repel, and divert collision forces. The systems are designed tosignificantly minimize and reduce the occurrence of head, concussion,neck, and shoulder injuries. The impact protection system comprising thehelmet system and the shoulder pad system also exhibit the safetybenefits mentioned above.

The helmet system comprises a shell having an interior comprising paddedhead gear fitted to cover at least a portion of a human head, asemicircular head mobility arm having an apex attached to the paddedhead gear and a base movably attached to a neck extension protector. Thehead mobility arm supports the movement of the human head. The base ofthe head mobility arm can be connected to the neck extension protectorto form a ball and socket joint. The base of the head mobility arm canbe a ball and the neck extension protector can contain a socket. Thehelmet system further comprises a head mobility connector thatintersects the head mobility arm connected to a semicircular shellconnector affixed to the interior of the shell. The neck extensionprotector can contact a shoulder pad system. The apex of the headmobility arm can be movably attached to the padded headgear.

The impact protection system comprises a shoulder pad system thatcomprises an outer impact shell designed to cover a human torso. Theouter impact shell has an interior that at least partially comprises aninterior impact shell that substantially houses absorption extendersthat redirect the force of collisions on the outer impact shell. Theabsorption extenders have a first portion connected to the outer impactshell and a second portion connected to absorbers that receive theredirected force. The absorbers can be located in an interior impactshell connector. The interior impact shell is connected to the interiorimpact shell connector and is designed to fit a human torso. Theinterior impact shell connector can fit substantially around a humantorso. The interior impact shell connector can be generally semicircularor generally circular.

The impact protection system absorbs, repels, and diverts collisionforces through designed safety insulating exterior barriers, shockabsorbers, hard plastic/composite shells, and padding that protect andinsulate a player's head, shoulder, and neck. The impact protectionsystem is designed with safety insulating elements to significantlyminimize and reduce the occurrence of head, concussion, neck, andshoulder injuries.

The impact protection system comprising the helmet and shoulder padsystems has greatly enhanced safety elements and with the samefunctionality of most common existing impact systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the shell of the helmet system with afacemask with a shell connector on the interior of the shell.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of the padded headgear with chinstrap.

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of a head mobility arm with a ball andsocket joint in a neck extension protector with arrows showing the rangeof movement of the head mobility arm.

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view of the head mobility arm attached to thepadded headgear and the neck extension protector.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the helmet system.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the interior of the helmet system.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the interior of the helmet system being tilted.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the shoulder pad system.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the impact protection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PRESENTLY PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the helmet system comprises an exteriorshell 2 with facemask 3 with an interior padded headgear 4 with achinstrap 19. The exterior shell 2 can be generally spherical made of ahard plastic, polycarbonate, or other synthetic composite shell thatcovers a human head without being in direct contact with the head. Theopening in the front has a facemask 3 for the protection of the human'sfacial area. The interior headgear 4 can be comprised of shock absorbingfoam padding. The headgear 4 can also comprise a hard outer shellcovering comprised of hard plastic, polycarbonate, or other syntheticcomposite shell and resting in contact with the human head and securedby a chinstrap 19. The interior headgear 4 has an insert-receivingchannel for the apex 25 of the head mobility arm 5.

The headgear 4 is designed to fit onto a human head and cover at least aportion of a head. There is a head mobility arm 5 that has an apex 25movably attached to the headgear 4 and a base 9 that is movably attachedto a neck extension protector 10. The interior headgear 4 can have aninsert-receiving channel at its rear for the apex 25 of the headmobility arm 5. The interior headgear 4 connection to the head mobilityarm 5 facilitates functional head movement. The exterior shell 2 withfacemask 3 can be comprised of hard plastic or polycarbonate thatprovides a safety insulating exterior barrier to prevent any directimpact to the face and head.

The head mobility arm 5 is semicircular and can be shaped based on thedimensions of a human head wearing the impact protection system. Thehead mobility arm 5 is preferably curved to approximate the curvature ofthe human head as shown in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c. The head mobility arm 5can be made of any hard suitable material such as metal, polycarbonate,or other form of synthetic material. The head mobility arm 5 is capableof transferring the force of a collision from the helmet system to theneck extension protector 10. The apex 25 attaches to the headgear 4 bysnap fit or other suitable attachment means. The base 9 of the headmobility arm 5 in FIGS. 2 b, 2 c, 3, 4, and 5 is a ball that fits into asocket within the neck extension protector 10. This junction forms aball and socket and grants the head mobility arm 5 exceptional range ofmovement and rotation as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 2 b, 4 and 5. Thebase 9 can be housed in the rear of the neck extension protector 10.

A protective boot 8 fits around the head mobility arm 5 and sits incontact with the neck extension protector 10. The head mobility armprotective boot 8 is a rubber coupling that fits over the base 9 toprevent foreign debris, such as sweat, dirt, or water, from entering andcausing performance issues for the junction of the base 9 and thesocket.

FIG. 5 shows a helmet system with a tilted human head. The edge 50 ofthe helmet 2 can abut the neck extension protector 10 to prevent aninjury resulting from an extreme turn of the head.

The head mobility arm 5 can comprise a plurality of branches thatdiverge from the arm, with each branch having an apex that can bemovably attached to the head gear. In some embodiments, there can bemore than one branch. The head mobility arm 5 can comprise two brancheswith each branch having an apex 25 but with the arm itself stillcomprising one base 9. The force of a collision is dispersed andtransferred through the multiple branches. More than two or threebranches can further assist such dispersal and transference.

A head mobility arm connector 7 intersects the head mobility arm 5 andis in contact with the exterior shell connector 6 that is affixed to theinterior of the exterior shell 2. The exterior shell connector 6 and thehead mobility arm connector 7 can be semicircular. The exterior shellconnector 6 can bi-directionally extend from the rear center of theexterior shell 2 towards the front of the exterior shell 2 in thedirection of the facemask 3. The connectors 6, 7 can be fitted togetherusing attachment means suitable in the field including snap fit or withnotches and grooves. When the connectors 6, 7 are attached as shown inFIG. 3, the exterior shell 2 is capable of moving with the head mobilityarm 5. The head mobility arm 5 allows a range of movement of the head 30and neck 35 in the helmet system 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The headmobility arm connector 7 can be made of metal or some hard syntheticcomposite material. The head mobility arm connector 7 can behorizontally attached to the head mobility arm 5 at a predeterminedpoint. The head mobility arm connector 7 can laterally extend from thehead mobility arm 5 in a semicircular fashion. The head mobility armconnector 7 connects to the exterior shell connector 6. The headmobility arm connector 7 runs from the center of the rear of theexterior shell 2 with facemask 3 to near the midpoint of the right/leftsides of the exterior shell 2 with facemask 3.

The neck extension protector 10 can be a semicircular collar that isformed to fit around a human neck without contacting the neck. The neckextension protector 10 can be attached to a shoulder pad system such asthe shoulder pad system 20 shown in FIG. 6. The neck extension protector10 can have a universal attachment to attach it to shoulder pad systemsavailable in the art.

The impact protection system comprises a shoulder pad system 20 as shownin FIG. 6. The shoulder pad system 20 comprises an outer impact shell 11designed to cover a human torso. The shell 11 can be positioned over theshoulders 22 of a wearer. The outer impact shell 11 has an interior atleast partially comprising an interior impact shell 14 substantiallyhousing absorption extenders 12 that redirect the force of collisions onthe outer impact shell 11. The shoulder pad system 20 can furthercomprise upper arm impact pads 21, shoulder padding 13, absorbers 15,and interior impact shell connectors 16 to protect the upper shoulders,chest, and back. The shoulder pad system 20 can support a neck extensionprotector 10 which can be connected to the helmet system 1.

The interior impact shell connector 16 can comprise a fit adjustmentdevice 26, such as a cinch, that modifies, such as tightening orloosening, the interior impact shell connector 16 to ensure a proper fitaround the human body and thus providing stability for the shoulder padsystem 20. The interior impact shell connector 16 can comprise a fitensuring device that adjusts the fit of the shoulder pad system 20. Theinterior impact shell connector 16 can contain the absorbers 15. Theabsorbers 15 can also be in contact with the interior impact shellconnector 16.

The outer impact shell 11 can be a hard generally semi-hemisphericalshell that is positioned over the shoulders with an opening for a humanhead and neck. The outer impact shell 11 can be comprised of a hardplastic or polycarbonate material suitable to withstand impacts commonin impact sports such as football, hockey, and rodeo, as well as fallsrelated to the infirmities of the physically disabled.

The outer impact shell 11 substantially covers the top of the shoulders22 and the upper chest and back without any direct contact with thebody. The top of the outer impact shell 11 extends laterally on the topof the shoulders 22 to near the start of the shoulder socket and theouter edge of the chest on both sides.

On the right and left ends of the outer impact shell 11 is the upper armimpact pad 21 that is a protective overhanging flap that will extenddown approximately half of the outer upper arm. The upper arm impact pad21 can be padded or comprised of plastic or polycarbonate materialsuitable to withstand impacts common in impact sports such as football,hockey, and rodeo, as well as falls related to the infirmities of thephysically disabled. The outer impact shell 11 can be connected to theabsorption extenders 12 on its underside and the neck extensionprotector 10. The absorption extenders 12 can be rods or panelsextending through the cavity within the interior impact shell 14 made ofmetal, plastic, or polycarbonate material. The absorption extenders 12in rod or panel form can be spaced apart and extend vertically downwardfrom the top of the outer impact shell 11 to the absorbers 15. Theabsorption extenders 12 can be spaced such that there are rods or panelson either side, posterior and anterior, of the interior impact shell 14.

The shoulder padding 13 is generally semi-hemispherical and can bepadding and have an opening for a human head and neck that fits directlyon a human's shoulders and substantially covers the upper chest andback.

The interior impact shell 14 can be a substantially semi-hemisphericalplastic or polycarbonate shell with an opening for a human head and neckthat is within the interior of the outer impact shell 11 and over theshoulder padding 13 as seen in FIG. 6. The interior impact shell 14 inFIG. 6 extends vertically down to the middle of the abdomen and back.The interior impact shell 14 houses the absorption extenders 12. Theabsorbers 15 shown in FIG. 6 receive the base of the absorptionextenders 12 in the anterior and posterior of the impact shellconnector.

The impact protection system can comprise both the helmet system 1 andshoulder pad system 20. The system provides optimal safety to players ofimpact sports such as football players by implementing designed safetyinsulating exterior barriers that absorb, repel, and divert footballcollision forces away from the participants' vulnerable head, neck, andshoulders.

The absorbers 15 can be spring-loaded, comprised of shock absorbers, orother types of absorbers that receive the base of the absorptionextenders 12. The absorbers 15 can be metal, plastic, or somepolycarbonate material. It receives the diverted impact from the outerimpact shell 11 through the absorption extenders 12 and also diminishesthe force of the impact felt on or near the top of the exterior shell 2with facemask 3.

The interior impact shell connector 16 can be a high-tension reinforcedelastic band that connects and cinches the anterior and posterior of theinterior impact shell 14 to provide a snug fit for a wearer and providestability for the shoulder pad system 20.

The impact protection system has safety elements that absorb, repel, anddivert collision forces through designed safety insulating exteriorbarriers, shock absorbers, hard shells, and padding to protect andinsulate the head, shoulder, and neck. These safety elements shouldsignificantly minimize and reduce the occurrence of head, concussion,neck, and shoulder injuries.

The exterior shell 2 with facemask 3 and outer impact shell 11 aredesigned as the safety insulating exterior barriers in the system. Forinstance, any football collision force initiated from the head down tothe upper abdomen and back of a football player will first engage eitherthe exterior shell 2 with facemask 3 or outer impact shell 11 and beabsorbed, repelled, and diverted at the point of engagement. Thedesigned barriers are then significantly minimizing and reducing theoccurrence of head, concussion, neck, and shoulder injuries.

The elements of the impact protection system are made of metal, plastic,polycarbonate or some other composite, thread, or fiber materials thatare strong and durable. The materials are capable of withstanding theextreme collision forces generated in many impact sports for many yearswith periodic maintenance or replacement. The system can also compensatefor bad tackling and blocking techniques.

The head mobility arm 5 apex 25 can be removed when the wearer is notactively engaged in athletic movement.

The shoulder pad system 20 components can be produced and assembled tospecifications for the various neck and shoulder sizes of wearers inconjunction with specifications of its attached helmet system 1. Thehelmet system 1 and shoulder pad system 20 can be connected at thehelmet system 1 neck extension protector 10 and the outer impact shell11. Screws, bolts/nuts, adhesives, and other bonding materials,compounds, and/or mechanical items are used to connect the helmet system1 and shoulder pad system 20.

The impact protection system also can substantially decrease the chancesof injury resulting from pulling the facemask of a football helmet. Thehead mobility arm 5 facilitates and follows the natural movement of thehuman head. The base 9 of the head mobility arm 5 is notched to preventmovement past the limits of the human head. In football, head and neckinjuries can occur as a result of a sudden illegal pull of the facemask3 in a direction lateral to the human spine, often called a “facemaskpenalty.” This results in violent twisting of the neck and spine. Thechances of an injury resulting from a “facemask penalty” are diminishedby use of the present impact system because the head mobility arm 5 andbase 9 prevent rotation of a human head beyond safe ranges. Thisprevents the neck and spine from being violently twisted beyond naturalhuman limits because the base 9 has rear flanges on its left and rightsides that are designed to contact a stop in the posterior of the neckextension protector 10 socket before any extreme twisting occurs. Theoccurrence of similar head and neck injuries seen in other impactactivities can be decreased by the embodiments described herein.

The presently described impact protection systems also can be used incycling, motocross, motorcycling, skiing, ski jumping, bob-sleighing,skateboarding, snowboarding, rodeo sports, and equestrian sports. Someembodiments can be used for the severely physically impaired who areprone to falls.

1. An impact protection system comprising a helmet system comprising a shell having an interior comprising padded head gear fitted to cover at least a portion of a human head, a semicircular head mobility arm having an apex attached to the padded head gear and a base movably attached to a neck extension protector, a head mobility connector that intersects the head mobility arm and is connected to a semicircular shell connector affixed to the interior of the shell, and wherein the head mobility arm supports the movement of said human head.
 2. The impact protection system of claim 1 wherein said base of the head mobility arm is attached to said neck extension protector to form a ball and socket joint.
 3. The impact protection system of claim 1 wherein said head mobility arm is movably attached to said padded head gear.
 4. The impact protection system of claim 1 wherein said head mobility arm is curved to approximate the curvature of the human head.
 5. The impact protection system of claim 1 further comprising a protective boot that prevents debris from entering the junction of said base of the head mobility arm and said neck extension protector with said protective boot fitting around said head mobility arm near said base and sits in contact with said neck extension protector.
 6. The impact protection system of claim 1 wherein said head mobility arm further comprises more than one branch that diverge from a point along said head mobility arm, with each branch having an apex movably attached to said head gear.
 7. The impact protection system of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder pad system.
 8. The impact protection system of claim 7 wherein said shoulder pad system comprises an outer impact shell designed to cover a human torso having an interior at least partially comprising an interior impact shell substantially housing absorption extenders that redirect the force of collisions on the outer impact shell, said absorption extenders having a first portion connected to the outer impact shell and a second portion connected to absorbers that receive the redirected force and are in an interior impact shell connector, wherein the interior impact shell is connected to the interior impact shell connector designed to fit a human torso.
 9. The impact protection system of claim 8 wherein said neck extension protector is connected to said shoulder pad system.
 10. The impact protection system of claim 1 wherein said shell is suitable for use in football, hockey, cycling, motocross, motorcycling, skiing, ski jumping, bob-sleighing, skateboarding, snowboarding, rodeo sports, and equestrian sports.
 11. An impact protection system comprising a shoulder pad system comprising an outer impact shell designed to cover a human torso having an interior at least partially comprising an interior impact shell substantially housing absorption extenders that redirect the force of collisions on the outer impact shell, said absorption extenders having a first portion connected to the outer impact shell and a second portion connected to absorbers that receive the redirected force and are in an interior impact shell connector, wherein the interior impact shell is connected to the interior impact shell connector designed to fit a human torso.
 12. The impact protection system of claim 11 further comprising a fit adjustment device that modifies the fit of said interior impact shell connector around a wearer.
 13. The impact protection system of claim 11 wherein said absorption extenders are rods that extend through said interior impact shell.
 14. The impact protection system of claim 11 wherein said absorption extenders are spaced apart from one another and extend vertically downward from the top of said outer impact shell to said absorbers.
 15. The impact protection system of claim 11 further comprising upper arm impact pads that hang over the upper arm of the wearer.
 16. The impact protection system of claim 11 further comprising a helmet system.
 17. The impact protection system of claim 16 wherein said helmet system comprises a shell having an interior comprising padded head gear fitted to cover at least a portion of a human head, a semicircular head mobility arm having an apex attached to the padded head gear and a base movably attached to a neck extension protector, a head mobility connector that intersects the head mobility arm and is connected to a semicircular shell connector affixed to the interior of the shell, and wherein the head mobility arm supports the movement of said human head.
 18. The impact protection system of claim 17 wherein said neck extension protector is attached to said shoulder pad system.
 19. The impact protection system of claim 17 wherein said neck extension protector is movably attached to said outer impact shell.
 20. The impact protection system of claim 11 wherein said system is suitable for use in football, hockey, cycling, motocross, motorcycling, skiing, ski jumping, bob-sleighing, skateboarding, snowboarding, rodeo sports, and equestrian sports. 